This time, it looks like they mean it.
In a news article from BBC News, Microsoft announces Windows Vista is due in stores in January and will come in six versions. Ranging from $100 – $399 USD, there will be three versions for businesses and two for home use and one for “developing nations”.
I know a lot of people have been computer shopping with Vista in mind, as did we. According to the BBC News Vista Hardware Checklist, at a minimum you will need an 800MHz processor with 512MB RAM and a DirectX 9 capable graphics card, along with 15 gigs minimum for installation. I bet you that 1 gig RAM with a ton of graphics memory is going to be better than the minimum.
The last three computers we purchased were bought with Vista’s hardware requirements in mind, but those release dates came and went, and promises for free or discounted versions of Vista from our computer manufacturers has also dried up. Microsoft again promises coupons for free or discounted versions of Vista, but only for those who buy computers within the next two months, not a year or more ago when hype was on for Vista’s anticipated arrival.
Microsoft now has competition from other operating systems, and a lot of people are burned out on Microsoft tactics, so this will be a very interesting release after so long and so many patches and glitches.
Are you going to upgrade or wait? Or have you totally said good-bye to Microsoft operating systems? Is your computer system ready for Vista?
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Copyright Lorelle VanFossen, member of the 9Rules Network
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7 Comments
I’m going to wait unless I find a good deal on a computer that has it preloaded. I’m starting to open up to the option of another OS as I hear more and more good things about them. Saying goodbye to Microsoft would do me good, if the joys of leaving IE behind (for Firefox) are any indication of how it would be. Besides, I think it’s always better to wait for a later version as far as bugs and stability go and device compatibility.
I moved on to Ubuntu (and then to OS X), although I do have a gaming PC with Windows installed that serves most of its time as a file server. I have absolutely no desire to upgrade. And if anyone asks me if they should upgrade (normal Windows users, that is), I really doubt I’ll be saying “yes.”
What does Vista offer for the normal user that XP doesn’t? It costs a fortune, and requires a beefier computer. I suspect that the upgrade rate will be very low… this will get pushed to consumers primarily through the Microsoft Tax.
Vista’s greatest beneficiary could end up being Apple. There’s never been a better time to switch. Linux’s future on the desktop looks bright, although it’s not quite there for non-techy users. Give that 5-10 years, maybe.
Heh, I’m still running w98 (by choice), although I’m considering picking up a copy of XP before the end of the year if for no other reason than to be able to run Firefox 3 when it comes out at the end of next year 🙂
Heh… I will wait for the bugs to *continue* to clear, for the SP2 of vista to come out before I migrate. I see no reason to migrate anyway, unless a software that I use doesn’t run on XP.
I think i’ll wait untill i get a monster to handle that OS 😀
i, as are many, am tired of ms drama. anything non ms i grasp.
I’m almost completely weaned from Windows. I’ve been using various flavors of Linux for my day to day computing for the past 6 years. I have a single system that dual boots into Win98SE for the one or two apps (mostly GPS related) that I still need and aren’t available yet on Linux.
My housemate has an XP system that came preloaded on her new system, but she too is primarily a Linux user.
There will be no upgrading in this house.